Electric switch



1958 R. D. CARMICHAEL ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1956 INVVENTORS R. 0; CA RM/(IHAEL- GE HAST/NGS .BYZMZZZK ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1958 R. D. CARMICHAEL ET m. 7 ,8

ELECTRIC SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1956 ES A G MMN 7w NM R ERA m W H T I A m G H I 1958 R. D. CARMICHAEL El Al. 2,820,862

ELECTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 21, 1956 INVENTORS FED. CA RM/CHAEL -61? HA T/NGS awn/5% ATTORNEY United States Patent ELECTRIC swrrcn Robert D. Carmichael and Gerald F. Hastings, Hampton,

Ga., assignors to Southern States Equipment Corporation, a corporation of Georgia Application December 21, 1956, Serial No. 629,908

14 Claims. (Cl. 200-48) 7 This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to high speed electric grounding switches of the multiple pole type.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an improved grounding switch which is especially reliable, compact, and sturdy due to the construction and arrangement of its parts.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a grounding switch which is especially adapted to multiple pole construction.

Still anotherobject of the invention is to provide an improved electric switch of the latched open biased closed type with an operating mechanism which functions to trip the latch and thereby to allow the switch to close due to its bias and which also functions to latch the switch closed as well as to impart opening movement thereto.

The invention in one form as applied to a grounding switch comprises a hollow bearing element on which a latched open movable switch contact is mounted, biasing means tending to close the contact, an operating element movably mounted inside the bearing element, and control means operably interrelating the operating element and the movable switch contact whereby the movable contact is unlatched when open or moved to the open position when closed.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an overall front view of a multiple pole grounding switch embodying the invention; in which Fig. 2 is an end view of the switch shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the right-hand end thereof; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 1 as viewed from the left-hand end thereof and with the housing cover removed; Fig. 4 is a rear view partially cut away and partially in section of the mechanism for one pole of a grounding switch embodying the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one pole of the switch as viewed from the rear; Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary views partially in section taken along the line 66 of Fig. 1 and respectively depicting the switch parts in their closed, opening, locked open, and closing positions; and Figs. 10

I and 11 are cross-sectional and end views respectively of an operating arm for the switch shown in Fig. 1.

With reference to Fig. l, a plurality of metallic channel members designated by the numerals 1, 2, and 3 constitute the base of the switch and could be an extension of the base of a multiple pole air break or disconnect type switch. It will be understood that if an ordinary air break switch is mounted on the channel members 1, 2 and 3 such switch is not shown in the drawings, it being apparent that the same base such as elements 1, 2, and 3 may be used for an air break switch as well as for a grounding switch embodying the present invention. Respectively disposed atop the channels 1, 2, and 3 are the adapters 4, 5, and 6. The adapters are secured by any suitable known means to their associated channels.

Mounted atop and respectively supported by the adapters 2,820,862 Patented Jan. 21, 1958 4, 5, and 6 are the insulator stacks 7, 8, and 9. Fixed contacts 10, 11, and 12 are'respectively mounted on and supported by the insulator stacks 7, 8, and 9 by means of suitable support elements 13, 14, and 15 respectively. Though not shown in the drawings it will be understood that contacts 10, 11, and 12 are electrically connected with a terminal of an air break switch if such is mounted on the base elements 1, 2, and 3, or if the grounding switch embodying this invention is not mounted on the same structure as an air break switch the contacts 10, 11, and 12 are respectively connected with the conductors comprising a 3-phase circuit. Normally the switch blades 16, 17, and 18 occupy the open position and are latched in this position, so that when it is desired to ground the polyphase circuit connected with the fixed contacts 10, 11,

and 12 the hold-open latch is tripped and the contact blades 16, 17, and 18 move to the closed position due to the biasing action of their individual biasing means as will be explained more fully hereinafter. Once the switch blades are closed the polyphase circuit associated with the fixed contacts 10, 11, and 12 is grounded through the associated movable blades 16, 17, and 18 through suitable 'umpers 19, 20, and 21 and the channel base elements 1, 2, and 3 respectively which of course are at ground potential by virtue of a suitable ground connection not shown in the drawings.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the mechanism associated with one pole of the switch shown in Fig. 1, and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, it being understood that all poles of Fig. l are identical.

As shown in Fig. 5 a hollow bearing element 22 is provided at its right-hand end with a flange 23 which is bolted by bolts not shown but which extend through appertures 24 and engage threaded holes 25 in adapter 4 so as to affix flange 23 in position on the left-hand side of adapter 4. Switch blade 16 is provided with a first cylindrical portion 26 which engages tubular portion 27 of the switch blade and securely grips the tubular portion 27 by means of a bolt 28 which engages the ears 29 and 30 formed in the upper portion of the cylindrical part 26, the ears 29 and 30 being disposed respectively on opposite sides of a slot 31 formed in the cylindrical part 26. Formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 26 is another cylindrical part 32 which is disposed about the hollow bearing element 22. It will be understood that low friction means is interposed between the outer surface of the hollow bearing element 22 and the inner surface of the cylindrical part 32 ot the switch blade. Also formed integrally with the parts 26 and 32 of the switch blade is a control element 33 which on its right-hand surface is provided with a plurality of upraised portions 34 and which is provided with a pair of latching surfaces 35 and 36, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

As shown in Fig. 5 the switch blade elements 26 and 27 are in the vertical or closed position. It will be understood that line 37 represents the position of the switch blade when in the open or normal position. The switch blade is maintained in its open position by means of a latch 38 having a first latch engaging surface 39 which cooperates with the latching surface 36 to hold the switch open and which in addition is provided with a latching surface 40 which cooperates with latching surface 35 of the control element 33 to hold the switch closed. Latch 38 is pivoted about the pivot pin 41 which in turn is provided with a biasing spring 42 tending to rotate latch 38 counterclockwise into engagement with control elemeat 33 and which is mounted within a housing 43 which in turn is affixed to the flange 23 by bolts mounted in holes 45 in the flange portion 46. The latch 38 is movable with the'shaft 41 and is locked in position with respect 3 thereto. by. a set screw, not shown-in the drawing but which is threaded through an opening 47 formed in the latch 38, the set screw engaging the outer surface of the pin 41.

The switch bladev comprising'parts 26 and 27'is biased toward the closed position shown in. the drawings, by means of a. biasing element 48 partially cut away in Fig. 5. This biasing element 48 at is right-hand end is affixed to thefiange23and at its lefthand end is affixed to a.bias adjusting element 49. provided with projections 50 which, cooperate with the projections 34 formed on the control element 33. It will beunderstoodthat the bias adjusting element. 49is manually moved to the right in a direction axiallyof the bearing element 22 and then rotated about itsaxis until: the desired: tension in the spring 48 is. established. for a particular position of the control element 33. At such time as suitable adjustment is achieved the adjusting elements 50 of the bias adjusting element 49 are disposed opposite certain. spaces between projections 34 .of. the control-element 33., The bias adjusting element is then moved toward the left in an axial direction alongthe hollow bearing element 22 to occupy theposition. shown in Fig. 5. With the tension of biasing element 48 thus.- suitably adjusted the switch blade comprisingelements. 26 and27iis then conditioned for operation. It willbe understood that tightening biasing element 48, as. described, results in axial pressure against biasadjusting element 49, sufficient to keep projections 34 and 50 in cooperationwith each other.

For the purpose of controlling the operation of the latch. 38 and; for other purposes, an. operating element 51 is disposed within the hollow bearing element 2?. and is supported: thereby through the bearing sleeve 52 the end portion 53 of which is provided with square opening 54 through which operating element 51 extends. The cylindrical portion 55 of 'the bearingelement 52 is provided with internal-threads, not shown .in Fig. 5, which threadedly engage external threads.56.formed*on the left-hand end of the hollow bearing element 22. Also affixed to or formed. integrally; with the cylindrical part 55' of the bearing sleeve 52 is; a stud 57onwhich a roller 58 is mountedby virtue of. the pin 59.which is mounted in an opening. 60 formedinv an. adapter 61 secured by bolts or other means. disposed in openings, 62 formed in stud 57. Roller 58.is arranged to engage the cam surface 63 of theJatch 38. Thus with. the switch in the closed position shown in Fig. and with latching. surface 40 of the latch 38. in engagement'with latching surface 35 of control element 33,- operation of the latch 38 is achieved by counterclockwise rotation of operatingelement 51 which causes roller 58.;toengagecam. surface 63' and to move the latch out of engagement with the latching surface 35 against the action of biasing spring 42. Under such conditions. the switch is maintained closed by the action of biasing element 48.. Opening movement of the switch is achieved by means of'the manually. controllable operating arm 65 shownin Fig. l which is securely afiixed to and rotatable with the operating. shaft 51. Counterclockwise rota-tion of shaft'51 as viewed in Fig. 5 causes the stud 66'mounted on thew element 61 to engage aset screw 67 threadedly mounted in. a tab 68 formed integrally with the cylindrical'portion 32 ofthe switch blade and thereby to cause the switch blade comprising parts 26 and 27' to move-in a counterclockwise direction as viewedin Fig. 5 to the open position designated by the line 37. When the closedposition is reached the biasing element 48 isfully stressed and thelatghing surface 39 of the latch 38. engages latching surface 36 of the control element 33.

In order to close the switch, the operating'element 51 as viewed in Fig. 5 is caused torotate in. the clockwise direction thereby releasing the latching surface 39 of the latch 38 from the latching sur face 36 of the control element 3 a he a n lement han. imp ts loc 4 wise closing movement to theblade comprising parts. 26 and 27.

The positions of the latch and of the control element and associated parts are shown in Figs. 6-9 inclusive which as already pointed out respectively depict the switch in the closed, opening locked open, and closing. positions.

Switch closingor tripping movement is imparted to the operating elementSl by the device illustrated in Fig. 3 and designated generally in Fig. 11 by the numeral 69. As shown in Fig. 3 the housing 73 is mounted on base 70" to which is atlixed an adapter 71 by means of bolts 72. The housing 73 of the trip mechanism is secured to the adapter 71 and supports a compartment 74. A latch 75 is pivotally mounted at 76 within housing 73. Counterclockwise tripping movement of latch 75 about pin 76 is imparted by a plunger 77 operated by suitable electro magnetic means. 78 which, if desired, could be automatically. controlled. Disposed within the. housing 73 is a crank arm 79 which securely engages the operating element 51 and-which ispivoted at 8il1to a link 81; which in turn is pivoted at 82'. to a link 83 one end of which is pivoted at 84.to the housing 73. Actually the linkages and crank arm described are ordinarily formed of a pair ofparallel elements only: one of which. appears in Fig. 3.

The latch engaging surface 75a of the latch 75 normally cooperates with the pin 86 mounted on extension 83A of link 83 to hold the crank arm. 79- and operating element 51 in positions indicated in Fig. 3 by solid lines. The operating element 51 istbiased in the counterclockwise direction as'viewed in Fig. 3 by spring means generally designated by. the numeral 85. When latch 75 is tripped crank 79 rotates in the counterclockwise direction to the position indicated in dotted lines and designated by the numeral 79A. upon collapse of linkage 81, 83 due to the action. of'biasmeans 85. Thus energization of electro magnetic means 7.8 elevates plunger 77 and causes latch surface 75A to disengage pin 86 and thereby to allow crank arm 79 to swing in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3' due to the action of biasing means 85. Such movement of operating means 51 under the bias of biasing means is sufiicient to impart tripping movement to the cam. 38 due to the impact of-roller 58 and to cause latching surface39 to disengage the latching surface 36 of the control element 33. Thereafter biasing element 48 quickly swings the switch blade comprising parts 26 and 27. to the closed position.

it will bev understood that the operating element 51 extends acrossall three phases, of the. mechanism and is interrelated; with eachphase in the. manner described above and shown in Fig. 5 Thus energization of the tripping coil 78,will cause. all three-phases of the ground ing switchto close substantiallysimultaneously under the action of their individualbiasing elements 48. Of course the phases are opened by the single manually operable element 65 once the proper operating movement is imparted thereto as explained above.

E ent assho nin; igs. .0. and 11 c mp s s. a flanged o r. 87 affixed; an and. rotata l wit aft; 51 by. virtue of a square axial openingformed therein which receives shaft S landby a set screw not shown, Disposed about collar 87 is a1low friction sleeve 88 on which is mounted the hub 89 having crank'arrn 90. A Washer 91 atlixed by screws 92 to collar 87 engages the end portion of the hub 89 at. 93 to prevent relative motion of the hub 89 and collar 87in one axial direction and rim 94 engages recess 87A in collar 87 to prevent relative axial movementof hub 89- and,collar 87 in theother direction. Lugs 95and 96 v oncollar 87 areengageable with lugs 97 and 980m hub 89 to impart rotary movement to shaft 51 when crank arm is rotated in such a direction as to reset the switch in the open position. Thereafter crank arm 90 is rotatedin the opposite directionto space lugs and 96 away from lugs 97 and, 98. by an angle sufficient to allow the shaft 51. to perform a tripping or switch closing operation without interference. It will be understood that an operating rod (not shown) is connected to crank 90 by a pivot connection in hole 90A.

While we have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention we do not wish to be limited thereto and intend in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

'1. A high-speed electric grounding switch comprising i v 2. A high-speed electric grounding switch comprising a pair of relatively movable contacts, biasing means for moving a movable one of said contacts toward the switch closed position, a latch engageable with a part of said movable contact for locking said contact in open and closed positions, and operating means movable relative to said latch and to said movable contact and engageable with said latch to unlock said movable contact when open and allow it to move to the closed position under the action of said biasing means, said operating means also being movable to unlock said movable contact when closed and to engage and move said movable contact to the open position.

3. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade operably mounted on said bearing element, a movable operating element disposed inside said bearing element and supported thereby, and means establishing an operative relationship between said operating element and said switch blade.

4. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade mounted on said bearing element, a rotatable operating element disposed inside said hollow bearing element, a bearing sleeve rotatable with said operating element and in threaded engagement with said bearing element, and means establishing an operative relationship between said operating element and said switch blade.

5. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade mounted on the outside of said bearing element, a rotatable operating element disposed inside said hollow bearing element, a bearing sleeve disposed about said operating element and rotatable therewith and in threaded engagement with the outside of one end of said bearing element, and means establishing an operative relationship between said operating element and said switch blade.

6. An electric switch comprising a tubular bearing element, a swich blade movably mounted on said bearing element and having a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, and a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element.

7. An electric switch comprising a tubular bearing element, a switch blade movably mounted on said bearing element and having a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart-operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between 'said control element and said bias adjusting element, a

latch biased into engagement with said control element, and a pair of latching surfaces formed in said control element and engageable by said latch respectively to hold said blade in the closed and open positions.

8. An electric switch comprising a tubular bearing element, a switch blade movably mounted on said bearing element and having a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element, a latch biased into engagement with said control element, a pair of latching surfaces formed in said control element and engageable by said latch respectively to hold said blade in the closed and open positions, a cam surface formed in said latch, and means engageable with saidcam surface for. respectively releasing said latch from said latching surfaces.

9. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade operably mounted on said bearing element, a movable operating element disposed inside said bearing element and supported thereby, a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, and a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element.

10. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade mounted on said bearing element, a rotatable operating element disposed inside said hollow bearing element, a bearing sleeve rotatable with said operating element and in threaded engagement with said bearing element, a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said biasing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, and a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being elfective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element.

11. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade mounted on the outside of said bearing element, a rotatable operating element disposed inside said hollow bearing element, a bearing sleeve disposed about said operating element and rotatable therewith and in threaded engagement with the outside of one end of said bearing element, a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, and a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element.

12. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing element, a movable switch blade operably mounted on said bearing element, a movable operating element disposed inside said bearing element and supported thereby, a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part there,

7 of gni qtcdj i h an bearin lem n a bias adius n element c an cted' th a P rt Of a d bia in elem an a jus a e re at v t aid co tr l e emen aid i elemen n a dhi i ma ius ing em t e n effective. to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element a latch in engagement with said control element and normally effective to prevent operating movement of said blade, and control means movable with said operating element and engageable with said latch for releasing said control element.

13. An electric switch comprising a hollow bearing ele ment, a movable switch blade mounted on said bearing element, a rotatable operating element disposed inside said hollow bearing element a bearing sleeve rotatable with said operating element and in threaded engagement with said bearing element, a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said hearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, a bias adjusting element connected with a parrot said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element; said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting elemer t, a latch in engagement with said control element and normally effective to prevent operating movement of said blade, and control means movable with said operat- 'aaamsaa ing element and engageable with said latch "for releasing said control element.

14. An electric switch comprising a'ho'llow bearingelernent, a movable switch blade mounted on the outside of said bearing element, a rotatable operating element disposed inside said hollow bearing element, a bearing sleeve disposed about said operating element and rotatable therewith and in threaded engagement with the outside of one end of said bearing element, a control element movable with said blade, a biasing element mounted on said bearing element and having a part thereof connected with said bearing element, a bias adjusting element connected with a part of said biasing element and adjustable relative to said control element, said biasing element and said bias adjusting element being effective to impart operating movement to said blade due to an operative relation between said control element and said bias adjusting element, a latch in engagement with said control element and norrnalh effective to prevent operating movement of said blade, and control means movable with said operating element and engageable with said latch for releasing said control element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

